Natural Building Courses—Summer 2010

with the Canadian Earth Institute

info@CanadianEarthInstitute.org Ph. 250-727-9163 www.CanadianEarthInstitute.org

Light Clay/Wood-chip Infill June 5th-6th, 2010 CEI, Langford, Victoria, BC

Exterior and interior walls of conventional stick-frame or timber construction are filled in with loose
woodchips coated with a clay slip, which serves as a binder. Using a mortar mixer or even a cement
mixer, this very low impact material is poured or shoveled into temporary or permanent formwork with
no tamping and allowed to dry. The straight walls provide good insulation; act as thermal storage; and
reduce drying, setting and tamping time, shrinkage behaviour and most importantly, labour intensity.

Learn how to identify native clays, mix woodchip clay and build walls hands on, discuss various meth-
ods for processing site clays for small and large projects, different framing methods with instructor
Cindy Walker, Nelson BC, natural builder since 2001. $150 Cdn/2 days.

Earthen Floor June 12th-13th 2010 CEI, Langford, Victoria, BC

An earthen floor is a mixture of sand, finely chopped straw, and clay, mixed to a thickened consistency and
spread with a trowel on a sub-surface. Earthen floors sound like they would be dirty, but they are not at all be-
cause of being packed and oiled. Cleaning an earthen floor is really quite easy. To create a durable, water-
resistant, beautiful floor that is softer than concrete (therefore gentler on both one's back and one's dropped
glass or fallen child), yet as sturdy as a softwood floor, natural oils (linseed oil, tung oil, poppy seed oil, perilla
oil or walnut) are applied after the floor is dry. The oil hardens to a tough, solid film through a chemical reac-
tion in which components crosslink by the action of oxygen. Earthen floors feel comfortable; last a long time;
are easy to maintain; are inexpensive; do not release toxic chemicals (carpeting and other synthetic flooring and
floor covering systems are some of the largest contributors to poor indoor air quality in modern homes); retain
heat from the sun and can potentially reduce heating costs. They also have less impact on the environment, and
exhibit a natural, unique look.

In this workshop, learn important steps for preparing the base underneath, identify clay and process ingredi-
ents, mix and apply base layer, make colour samples for a finish layer with instructor Cindy Walker, Nelson
BC, natural builder since 2001. $120/1.5 days.

Earthen and Natural Plasters June 20th, 2010 CEI, Langford, Victoria, BC
Earthen and natural plaster is a blend of clay, fine aggregate, and fiber. Other common additives include
pigments, lime, casein, flour paste, mica, animal dung, and linseed oil. Earthen plaster is usually applied
to masonry, cob, light clay/straw or woodchip or straw-bale interiors or exteriors as a wall finish. It can
also be applied to interior drywall, paint, or other existing surfaces. It provides protection to the struc-
tural and insulating building components as well as texture and color. These plasters add unrivaled
beauty to a home; naturally repel dust; are fun and safe to work with, allow one to work at a relaxed
pace, easy to clean up after, recyclable, easily repairable, permits artistic expression, create a softer, qui-
eter finish, made from locally available materials, harvested with little impact on the environment, and
inexpensive.

Learn how to identify clay and process ingredients, how to mix and apply base earthen coat with wood
& steel trowels. Discuss methods for applying base coats of straw-bale, light clay infill and cob walls
with instructor Cindy Walker, Nelson BC, natural builder since 2001. $75 Cdn/1 day.